Senate-backed medical marijuana bill advancing in House

BATON ROUGE - Only a year after a medical marijuana proposal stalled in its first hearing before state lawmakers, a bill that could get medical-grade pot to people suffering from cancer, glaucoma and a severe form of cerebral palsy is nearing final passage.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the proposal Wednesday, sending it to a vote before the full House. The Senate already has passed the measure.

The bill by Sen. Fred Mills, a Parks Republican, would allow patients to consume refined forms of marijuana, but prohibits smoking the plant. Mills says the refined product would have therapeutic properties, but wouldn't get patients high.

Louisiana has had a medical marijuana law on the books since 1991 but lacks the framework to dispense the drug.